Given a curve γ(s) in R3, parameterised such that ∥γ′(s)∥=1 and with γ′′(s)=0, define the tangent t(s), the principal normal p(s), the curvature κ(s) and the binormal b(s).
The torsion τ(s) is defined by
τ=−b′⋅p
Sketch a circular helix showing t,p,b and b′ at a chosen point. What is the sign of the torsion for your helix? Sketch a second helix with torsion of the opposite sign.